The Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery

One of Taunton Press's best efforts is the 'Complete Illustrated' guide series. The books are all well illustrated with and emphasis on both quality and durability in the binding. They make use of writers who are well-established craftspeople who have served as teaching professionals as well. 'Joinery' is no exception to this rule as it opens the door into what many think of as the secret science of woodworking. Certainly few things will create disagreement among woodworkers the way the question of how two bring two pieces of wood together to make one. The book is divided into three parts - Tools (hand tools, small power tools, and machines), Carcase Joinery (butt, rabbet, groove, dado, miter, finger, mortise-and-tenon, and dovetail joints), and Frame Joinery (butt, miter, lap, bridle, scarf, splice, edge, and mortise-and-tenon). Each joint type is discussed in some detail, covering both the theory behind the working of the joint and discussions of how to make the joints. In general, the level of detail and clarity are very good. There are those who would sit down and read this book from cover to cover. Some, no doubt, would actually remember it all. But for most of us the best use of Gary Rogowski's work is as a reference. Browse through it several times to expand our joiner's imagination, and then deep dive into the joints for a potential project. Eventually, you will absorb an alarming amount of knowledge. Just as, with practice, the skills required for each joint develop and grow. It amazes me how, each time I return to this book I find something completely new. Rogowski has a straightforward writing style that meshes well with the format of this series. The only thing I would add are even more pictures, even a gallery of various examples. This is a volume I am delighted to own.

Once again I am very impressed with the encyclopedic coverage Taunton has given us on a vital aspect of our hobby/craft/passion. Gary Rogowski's writing was accurate and understandable. I love the fact that this book does not waste too many pages talking about shop basics, yet the first three sections level the playing field for beginners by explaining the tools and terminology used throughout the rest of the book. As for the bulk of the content here (sections 4-15) - there are twelve themed sections covering every conceivable type of joint you might encounter while working wood. Each section starts with an overview of that type of joint and its uses, followed by cookbook recipes for how to go about accomplishing each one. I found the color photographs to be clear, and they provide ample support for the text as the author describes each step. I ordered all three books in this series for my library (yes I am a librarian and a woodworker) and I especially recommend this title as a must have shop 'encyclopedia' on the topic. Basically, I found the Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery to be practical enough that I would 'need' a copy in my shop and beautiful enough that I would 'want' a copy on my coffee table!

As an intermediate woodworker, I often need to review a procedure before undertaking it. I have found Mr. Rogowski's book to be an excellent reference to use at the bench. It explains techniques in two ways, text and visual. You can read about the procedure and clarify particular aspects by studying the clear photographs. I find the combination of text and visual to be the way I learn best. It's almost like watching the instructor demonstrate the technique.The text is concise, yet gets the procedure across. I want to review and then cut lumber as opposed to reading for an extended time. The photographs are well produced and frequently clear up questions I have from the text. The variety of techniques included stimulates me to try other ways of doing the joinery to develop my own variations and adds to my repetoire. Since a single technique may not work out for a particular situation, having a number of ways to do a particular joint comes in handy when solving woodworking dilemas.All in all, I found this to be a very beautiful and helpful book.

I have a number of woodworking books and each one shows how the author like to do joints and then gives you various "projects". This is great for the beginner, but what I need now is a reference book of all the joints and the various ways in which to make them. This book really fills that need. I think if you are just beyond the beginner and need a great reference, this is for you.

This was the third book out of the series that I purchased. I loved Cabinet Construction and Shaping Wood and couldn't wait to get this one. I would have to disagree on the other reviews concerning this book. I found the book to be not only informative but quite a work of art in itself. Some people are wondering what audience the book is trying to target. Obviously if you consider yourself 'advanced', then you should not be needing a book on woodworking. Although I feel the book is intended for intermediate woodworkers, I beleive this book would be of use to a 'beginner' as well because it gives the reader something to shoot for. It has hundreds of photos of beautifully crafted joints. Some of these joints I have never seen before. Joints like the "Cogged Scarf" is not only imaginative but looks fun to make. This is a joint that I would probably never thought about until this book. That is how I started in woodworking. I saw something that I wanted to make and I went about learning how to do it. Some people are unhappy because of the detail of instructions. Well the joints are explained with text and pictures. I would agree that the book does not 'hold your hand' on every single step. But then how many of us have learned woodworking by reading a book? We learned it by getting outside and doing it. What is nice about this book is that it gives you the basics of what you need to know to make the joint and the rich color photographs that show you what you could achieve. I would imagine that you could go into any bookstore and find in their woodworking section a book on joints. However, I believe you would be hard pressed to find a book of this caliber on the subject.